Local student selected to travel to Australia

Local home-school eighth-grade student Abigail Voigt is preparing to travel to Australia this summer as part of the People-to-People Student Ambassador program, and she needs to raise approximately $8,000 for the trip.

Local home-school eighth-grade student Abigail Voigt is preparing to travel to Australia this summer as part of the People-to-People Student Ambassador program, and she needs to raise approximately $8,000 for the trip. She is scheduled to travel from June 17 to July 6. The $8,000 needed will cover the cost of transportation, meals and lodging.

Abigail has raised approximately $2,500 so far.

“I want to learn about the culture, because it is such an interesting culture,” she said.

While in Australia, Abigail will have the opportunity to travel on the West Coast, visit the Sydney Opera House, and stay with a host family. She will also participate in two days of community service.

To be selected, Abigail was nominated while a student at Gateway Elementary School.

She has several fundraisers planned.

One is a dinner April 6 at the Knights of Columbus. The event includes a silent auction. Tickets are $30, and Casey’s Steaks and Barbecue will cater the dinner.

Donations may also be sent to 429 N. Sanders St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Donations may also be made by calling People-to-People directly at 1-800-669-7882. Tell the operator you are making a credit-card donation to the account of Abigail Voigt, ID No. 10179517 for the Australia Junior High Trip from the San Bernardino California Group.

Abigail is also looking for recyclable items. Arrangements for pickup may be made by calling (760) 608-1115.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower started the People-to-People program as a nonprofit organization to give youth the opportunity to learn about other countries and their people and to help promote peace building through education about cultures.